The Development Process

Before we take a closer look at the development of pet kittens, let’s look into how kittens grow up and develop when they live in the wild.

Kittens in the wild remain with their mother until they reach sexual maturity, or until the mother becomes pregnant again. As a way to prepare for her new litter, she will start to distance herself from the old litter. This process could take from a few months up to a year, and would be the natural way for a kitten to be separated from its mother.

But when cats are kept as pets, this is the typical process:

Birth ⇒ 4 Weeks Old

Until they are about 4 weeks old, the kittens are completely dependant on their mother. She will clean them, keep them warm and safe, and stimulate the bowl movements and bladder to help them urinate and defecate. They get 100% of all nutrition from her milk.

This first stage is all about basic survival.

4 ⇒ 8 Weeks Old

From this point, the mother will start to teach her kittens basic skills a cat needs. For example:

They will slowly start to imitate her behavior, and tasting solid food for the very first time.

It’s during this stage that the weaning process starts. A process that usually lasts between 4-10 weeks of age. It’s important to note that both the mother and the breeder contribute to the weaning.

The breeder will pick up and handle the kittens over a six-week weaning period to prepare them for a life with humans. At first only very briefly and right next to the mother, but then for increasingly longer time and distance away from its mother for each time.

When done correctly, the kittens will learn to enjoy the touch and company of humans. Needless to say, this is critical for a good relationship between owner and pet.

The mother plays an even more important role in the weaning process. Apart from teaching the kittens the basic skills required, the mother will now start to correct improper behavior. Her milk supply will slowly start to dry up, which naturally will force the kittens to eat more and more of solid food as the weeks go by.

8 Weeks Old ⇒ Adoption

At this stage, the kittens eat mostly solid foods. Some will still be nursing though (to get comfort rather than nutrition). If the breeder is knowledgeable and serious, all nursing should normally have stopped when they get 12 weeks old, at the latest.

This period in their life is important for the development of social skills. Learning from their mother, and by playing with each other, the kittens learn how to communicate and interact with other cats (and humans). For this reason, kittens that are separated at too young of an age risk developing behavioral issues.

They also learn the importance of grooming around this time. By licking each other, they keep clean while also strengthening the bonds between them.

Another key factor is that their immune systems are still developing, and to some extent dependant on antibodies in their mother’s milk. Separating them at 8 weeks could therefore cause illness.

Some breeders and cat owners wrongfully believe that kittens are ready for separation when they are only 8 weeks old. But the truth is, they are not.

I mean, why the rush? It’s much better to allow them to play and develop for another 2-4 weeks. They will become more confident and mature, and there will be much less of a risk of any health or behavioral problems.

At What Age Can You Take Kittens Away From Their Mother?

My answer to this very common question is 12-14 weeks. By that time, the kitten will have had time to develop good social skills, correct litter box habits, and a solid immune system. If the breeder is serious, the kitten will also be properly weaned at this stage.

By waiting until the kitten is 12-14 weeks old, you will have minimized the risk for health and behavioral issues, and maximized the chance for getting a healthy and happy cat.

More specifically, there are three main reasons for our 12-14 week recommendation:

Behavior. Not enough play and socialization may cause bad social skills and bad litter box habits (not using it all the time). At 12 weeks of age, playing with toys replaces play between the kittens, and so the littermates are no longer crucial to the developing kitten.

Health. The immune system is not fully developed until after at least 12 weeks (the mother’s milk contains vital antibodies). Also – depending on in which country you live – the kitten might not have received all the necessary vaccinations if you take it home too soon.

Stress. Weaning is a process that must be allowed to take time. If you stop the weaning and nursing abruptly before it’s finished (which is at about 12-14 weeks), it could result in a stressed kitten that eats poorly and tries to hide.

Things to Do When Adopting a Kitten

When bringing home a kitten, there are a few important things you should do:

Be gentle and patient. Give the kitten time to explore its new home.

Prepare a warm soft place where it can sleep and relax. A good idea could be to use a blanket from its birth home.

Leave a Reply

Follow us:

Find us on Facebook

PetAnimalGuide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.